Over the past year, we had 45 MAKE IT COUNT events in 30 different countries, with one goal; to get the most dedicated skateboarders from around the world for a life changing experience.

On August 11th, 23 finalists flew in for an all expenses paid trip to California for one week, and to compete in the global finals at Element YMCA Camp.

During that week, we went to San Diego and skated the Transworld park, hung out at Element headquarters, and had a day all to ourselves at The Berrics. In addition to skating, we hiked to the natural waterslides at Stony Creek, launched in Lake Sequoia, and saw a slew of wild animals in the Sequoia National Forest.

In the end, it was Jon Cos who took first place and a year’s sponsorship from Element, while Dustin Blauvelt came in second, and Nate Greenwood finished in third. Some left with trophies and prizes, but everyone went home with something much greater; friendships were forged, and our Element family grew bigger.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in making this series an experience of a lifetime.

For more info, to see the finals video, and to see the #elementmakeitcount instagram feed, go HERE:

After sorting through hundreds of video submissions for the MAKE IT COUNT Wildcard entry, we’ve finally selected a winner. Congratulations goes out to Mikey Whitehouse of Edinburg, TX for his amazing park edit. He will be joining finalists from all over the globe in California at Element YMCA Camp for the finals and get to skate the Berrics with the Element team in just a few weeks. Thanks to everyone who submitted their videos. Check out Mikey’s winning video above.

Julian Davidson and Nick Garcia came up with this special set of Travel Well cruiser boards, called “Day Trippin’”. Designing them was one thing, but what came next was the fun part; hitting the streets. Nick and Julian headed off to Skate Camp, and took the long road to get there. From bombing hills and crushing rocks to flatground and mini ramps, these boards are truly all terrain vehicles.

The recent Travel Wellvideo, featuring Chad Tim Tim, was set to a soundtrack by the band BOOM CHICK. Now, the band is preparing to release their new single “Shake Can Well” and the first 100 pre-orders will receive it on clear purple vinyl! We’ve already got our order in, and are checking the mail every day.

You can listen to the new music on their Bandcamp page, and pre-order the album there too. For more information on the band, including music and tour dates, check out their site; BOOM CHICK. And look for the next Travel Well commercial, starring Julian Davidson and Nick Garcia, coming soon.

Now you can start learning how to skate from Element’s pros for free! Know Skateboarding Street Fundamentals Free gives you an exclusive first pass to becoming a great skater. You can use this app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, and you don’t even need any data connection.

Get the full version of “Know Skateboarding” featuring Element pros Chad Tim Tim, Darrell Stanton, Levi Brown, and Mark Appleyard. Between these four pros and the twenty-two tricks they teach you, this is the most powerful tool you could ever keep in your pocket.

Elemental Awareness hit the road to visit their friends on the Apache, Flathead, and Navajo reservations, where they were able to skate with the kids, and connect on a larger level…

Through the CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SKATEBOARDING program, they were able to give away more than 100 pairs of shoes, 50 skateboards and tons of other product. Needless to say, the kids were hyped and received some much needed gear.

Click here to see some photos from the tour. And for more information on Elemental Awareness and their programs, visit their site and Facebook page.

Watch Element pro Chad Tim Tim in the latest Bangin at The Berrics! Chad rips up the park with his new Travel Well cruiser board the “Tim Tim Chisel Nomad.” I didn’t know a cruiser board could be skated like that! Click HERE to watch Tim Tim’s Bangin.

On September 24th 2011, Element and Beachworks joined forces to present the ELEMENT EQUINOX FESTIVAL. Set in Element’s own Orange County backyard, the festival included an amateur contest, team demo, team signing and a bevy of booths to keep attendees psyched. Two amateur contests were held: thirteen and under and fourteen plus. A total of $1,000 was awarded to the winners, $700 of which made its way into the back pocket of 14+ winner Edgar Barrera.

In addition, a free trip to Element / Ymca Skate Camp was awarded to the winner of the thirteen and under contest, Vinny Villani.

As impressive as the 14+ contest and demo were, the young kids contest really brought the stoke. Seeing the young’uns with decks as big them go for glory brought smiles to the faces of even the most jaded among us.

While not watching the skate action, attendees tie-dyed t-shirts, got henna tattoos, played skateboard wheel plinko to win free Element gear and checked out an array of animals on display from Inside the Outdoors.

The Mohave backpack, loaded with an unending amount of compartments and stash pockets, can practically carry the weight of the world.

In honor of its diversity, we got Mike Kershnar (Element Advocate) to pack up, and hit the streets. Through the eyes of filmmaker, Sean Desmond, we get an insider’s look into Kershnar’s daily grind, skating and painting in San Francisco…

Watch the video above, and swing by your local shop or click here to purchase an Element “Mohave” backpack.

The Mohave backpack, loaded with an unending amount of compartments and stash pockets, can practically carry the weight of the world.

In honor of its diversity, we got Mike Kershnar (Element Advocate) to pack up, and hit the streets. Through the eyes of filmmaker, Sean Desmond, we get an insider’s look into Kershnar’s daily grind, skating and painting in San Francisco…

Watch the video above, and swing by your local shop or click here to purchase an Element “Mohave” backpack.

Chipotle, friend of Element friend and MAKE IT COUNT sponsor, has put out an incredible short film entitled “Back to the Start”. The film depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways, and opts for a more sustainable future.

Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system. The soundtrack is by country music legend, Willie Nelson, who sings a cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is nothing short of moving.

We love the film and its message, and wanted to pass it on. Get inspired, and for more information, visit:

]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/06/back-to-the-start/feed/0NYJAH – 11.11.11http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/nyjah-11-11-11/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/nyjah-11-11-11/#commentsFri, 02 Sep 2011 16:01:52 +0000Marchttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/nyjah-11-11-11/Nyjah rang in the new year of 2011 making headline news by re-joining the Element team. Shortly after he had the cover of Transworld and a full interview, kicking off the rebirth of his career. Nyjah then put together one of the most impressive contest performances in history. He shed his dreads, and became the youngest ever to win X Games Skate Street. The release of a full part on 11.11.11, filmed all this year, will cap off an impressive year. Trailer coming soon.

]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/nyjah-11-11-11/feed/0HELLA CLIPS – NYJAH, TIM TIM, AND EVAN SMITHhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/hella-clips-nyjah-tim-tim-and-evan-smith/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/hella-clips-nyjah-tim-tim-and-evan-smith/#commentsFri, 02 Sep 2011 16:00:06 +0000Kirkhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/09/02/hella-clips-nyjah-tim-tim-and-evan-smith/Hella Clips, is without a doubt, the best place to find the most current skate video clips, big or small. And the last few days, Element riders have been popping up with all sorts of footage.

Nyjah Huston and friends rolled through the Chino park recently, and left no ledge unturned. Subscribe to Nyjah’s friend, Nathan on YouTube here for more Nyjah footy, as they’re always out skating, rain or shine.

Chad Tim Tim walks you through the basics of a switch crooked grind. Active is holding a contest here, where whoever sends in the best footage of them doing a switch crooks, wins a year supply of shoes from Dekline. Don’t forget the bonus clip and contest at the end of the video too.

Evan Smith gets a surprise request from skateboard legend, Josh Kalis, while on tour with DC in Europe. Watch and see if Evan can land a “Straight 8″ on call. The “Straight 8″ is when you do the two fundamental flip tricks, kickflip and heelflip, in the four possible ways, which equals 8… Kickflip, fakie kickflip, switch kickflip, nollie kickflip, heelflip, fakie heelflip, switch heelflip, and nollie heelflip.

Joe Krolick, long-time filmer, editor, and photographer to the stars, has been posting updated edits of classic footage that he’s compiled over the years. Recently Joe posted some rare Mark Appleyard footage that was a true classic, but the newest release of Donny Barley is an unprecedented and unseen visual treat. Watch and learn, as this is why the word “style” was invented; it’s Donny Barley.
]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/26/barley-grind/feed/0“PICTURE THIS” WITH CHAD TIM TIMhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/22/picture-this-with-chad-tim-tim/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/22/picture-this-with-chad-tim-tim/#commentsMon, 22 Aug 2011 23:04:58 +0000Marchttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/22/picture-this-with-chad-tim-tim/

Alli Sports “Picture This” series give you a look into the lives of today’s top action sports athletes. In the newest release they met up with Chad Tim Tim in his Long Beach neighborhood to get an exclusive tour of his pad. Shop Element at Alli.

Element headed to Costa Rica to visit the family of Arenas Skate Shops, and found a thriving, energetic skate community. Watch Nyjah Huston, Levi Brown, Nick Garcia, Evan Smith, Darrell Stanton and more put on a show for jam packed crowd… Hundreds of people waited more than 8 hours before the park opened to get a seat! Thanks to everyone that came out and welcomed the team with roaring applause and positivity.

]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/19/costa-rica-element-team-demo-video/feed/0RAY BARBEE – DAY IN THE LIFE (VIDEO)http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/17/ray-barbees-trange-notes-day-in-the-life-video-2/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/17/ray-barbees-trange-notes-day-in-the-life-video-2/#commentsWed, 17 Aug 2011 01:52:06 +0000ADAMhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/17/ray-barbees-trange-notes-day-in-the-life-video-2/
Here’s a day in the life video from $trange Notes that profiles the legendary Ray Barbee and his daily grind (pun intended). I don’t know about you, but I could watch Ray eat a bowl of cereal and it would get me psyched to go skate. Toward the end of the video, Ray alludes to a video project that’s been a long time coming. Enjoy.
]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/17/ray-barbees-trange-notes-day-in-the-life-video-2/feed/0TIM TIM SHOE REVIEWhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/11/tim-tim-shoe-review/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/11/tim-tim-shoe-review/#commentsThu, 11 Aug 2011 22:23:22 +0000Kirkhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/11/tim-tim-shoe-review/Over on the Active site, Tim Tim walks you through a new shoe color-way he designed for Dekline (his shoe sponsor).

]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/08/03/video-chad-tim-tim-switch-firing-line/feed/0VIDEO: MARK APPLEYARD IS BANGIN!http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-mark-appleyard-is-bangin/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-mark-appleyard-is-bangin/#commentsTue, 26 Jul 2011 18:34:37 +0000Nickhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-mark-appleyard-is-bangin/Mark Appleyard is one of the most entertaining skateboarders to watch. Check out his latest Bangin at the Berrics to see why!

]]>http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-mark-appleyard-is-bangin/feed/0VIDEO: BOO JOHNSON DIAMOND LIFE COMMERCIALhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-boo-johnson-diamond-life-commercial/
http://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-boo-johnson-diamond-life-commercial/#commentsTue, 26 Jul 2011 05:22:17 +0000Nickhttp://elementskateboards.com/blog/au/2011/07/26/video-boo-johnson-diamond-life-commercial/Element am Boo Johnson doesn’t just have tricks, but also the style to go with it. Get a taste in this new commercial from Diamond Supply Co..

Nick Garcia has a new Tuesday 25 interview up on the Skateboarder Mag site! Nick answers 25 questions about everything from favorite skate parks to favorite beverage! Check out the interview by clicking HERE!